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Average

#1725 of 2,466 schools in NJ

Birches Elementary School

Elementary School · Washington Township School District

416 WESTMINSTER BLVD, Turnersville, NJ 08012

Enrollment

453

Student-Teacher

10.3:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

New Jersey schools

#1,725 of 2,466

In Turnersville

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#9 of 11

Washington Township School District

Equity

8.0 / 10

Excellent

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Birches Elementary School

5.6/10

Elementary School in Turnersville · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Beacon Academy

Nearby

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Whitman Elementary School

5.2/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Birches Elementary School

Birches Elementary School is a public elementary school in Turnersville, NJ, part of Washington Township School District. Birches Elementary School serves approximately 453 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 10.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Birches Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,725 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

Structured state assessment records for Birches Elementary School show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • District avg 6.7
  • NJ avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57.6% (2025 NJSLA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.8% (2025 NJSLA)
Math vs. State Avg+9.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+24.9 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 NJSLA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2025 NJSLA)
vs. Expected+3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$24,944
Chronic Absenteeism15.9%

Birches Elementary School — Students at Birches Elementary School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

16.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores NJ NJSLA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
45.8% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 61.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 41 test records from NJ state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
73%
2010
Math
91%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
91%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
89%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
88%
ELA
74%
2014
Math
33%
ELA
46%
2015
Math
51%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
58%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
58%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
58%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
45%
ELA
61%
2024
Math
63.1%
ELA
69.5%
2025
Math
57.6%
ELA
68.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.9/10.

How Birches Elementary School Compares

See how Birches Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.6/10
30th percentile in NJ
Academic
7.9/10
Very Good
Growth
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
16%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

416 WESTMINSTER BLVD, Turnersville, NJ 08012

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Birches Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wedgwood Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Sewell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bells Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hurffville Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Sewell), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Turnersville, see our Turnersville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
BEACON ACADEMY Sewell 0.8 mi
Whitman Elementary School Turnersville 1.0 mi 5.2
Bells Elementary School Turnersville 1.1 mi 7.9
Washington Township High School Sewell 1.3 mi 5.2
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Turnersville 1.5 mi 6.0
THE GODDARD SCHOOL Sewell 1.4 mi
Wedgwood Elementary School Sewell 1.9 mi 8.0
Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center Sewell 2.4 mi 5.8
Bunker Hill Middle School Sewell 2.3 mi 7.5
Ann A. Mullen Middle School Sicklerville 2.0 mi 5.3
Timber Creek Regional High School Erial 2.2 mi 4.8
CHESTERBROOK ACADEMY Sewell 2.4 mi
Orchard Valley Middle School Sewell 2.4 mi 8.1
Chestnut Ridge Middle School Sewell 2.4 mi 7.2
LASTING LEGACY ACADEMY, LLC Williamstown 3.1 mi
Hurffville Elementary School Sewell 2.8 mi 7.7
Erial Elementary School Sicklerville 3.0 mi 5.0
Charles W. Lewis Middle School Blackwood 3.6 mi 7.1
James W. Lilley Elementary School Erial 2.8 mi 5.6
ERIAL COMMUNITY CHURCH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Erial 3.2 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 08012 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$93,497

Median Home Value

$268,500

Median Rent

$1,589/mo

Population

40,830

College Educated

34.2%

Homeownership

67.9%

Avg Commute

29.3 min

Poverty Rate

9.2%

Median Age

40.4

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Angelo L. Tomaso School Warren, NJ 5.6
Anthony V. Ceres Elementary School Perth Amboy, NJ 5.6
Benjamin Banneker Preparatory Charter School Westampton, NJ 5.6
Blairstown Elementary School Blairstown, NJ 5.6
Charles F. Seabrook School Seabrook, NJ 5.6
Edward V. Walton Primary School Springfield, NJ 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Birches Elementary School

What grades does Birches Elementary School serve?

Birches Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Birches Elementary School?

Birches Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 453 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Birches Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Birches Elementary School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Birches Elementary School rank in NJ?

Birches Elementary School ranks #1,725 of 2,466 schools in NJ.

What is Birches Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Birches Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Birches Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Birches Elementary School has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Birches Elementary School a charter school?

No, Birches Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Birches Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Birches Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Birches Elementary School?

16.1% of students at Birches Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
453
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
16.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Gloucester County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.9%

District

Washington Township School District
District Enrollment
7,302
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$24,944
District Rank
#9 of 11

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